Water is the most precious commodity we have. While we take many steps to recycle items we use in our everyday life, what about our water? How can we recycle that? Let us explain.
When we think about the amount of water we use daily for things like washing our dishes, bathing, and doing the laundry, etc. that’s a lot of water. This water, known as greywater, can then be used for other things such as irrigation or flushing toilets. We must note here, however, that greywater should not be confused with blackwater which, because of its high level of contaminants, is very dangerous to use untreated. Greywater is also non-potable.
What else should you know about greywater use? It falls into two categories, treated and untreated. Untreated greywater should not be stored and needs to be used immediately, whereas treated greywater can be kept for a longer amount of time.
There are mixed opinions regarding the use of greywater. Some see it as a great way to conserve such a valuable resource because it can be used for irrigation. Others are against greywater usage because they see it as a potential breeding ground for disease-spreading bacteria.
If you are considering the possible use of greywater in your home, check with your local council to see what guidelines are in place with regards to reusing your water. Do your research as well and get to know all you can about the correct and safe way to use and store greywater.